Cake Pops

Directions

• Step one

  Bake cake in 33 x 23-cm baking dish according to package directions. Let cool completely.

• Step two

  Crumble cake up into a large bowl.

• Step three

  In medium microwave-safe bowl, add frosting. Microwave on HIGH for 20 seconds or until soft. Add frosting to crumbled cake, stirring until frosting is completely incorporated into cake crumbs. Squeeze a small handful of cake mixture; it should hold together without breaking apart. If cake mixture is too dry, add more frosting.

• Step four

  Roll mixture into 4-cm balls and transfer to parchment paper–lined baking sheet. (Balls should be tightly packed and smooth, with no cracks. If they appear cracked, add more frosting.) Transfer baking sheet to freezer for 15 to 20 minutes or until chilled.

• Step five

  In small, deep microwave-safe bowl, add candy melts. Microwave on HIGH in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted. (It should coat a spoon but should still be able to slowly drip off. If coating is too thick, add 5 mL shortening at a time. Do not exceed 15 mL or cake pops will crack.)

• Step six

  Dip tip of lollipop stick into candy melts and insert stick no more than halfway into centre of cake ball. Repeat with remaining lollipop sticks, more candy melts and cake balls. Let set for 1 to 2 minutes.

• Step seven

  Pick up cake pop by lollipop stick and dip into candy melts. Gently tap stick against side of bowl and rotate cake pop to help excess candy melts fall back into bowl. Add cake pop decorations, as desired, right after dipping and before coating dries. Insert bottom of stick into Styrofoam block to stand up straight and until set. Repeat with remaining cake pops, remaining candy melts and decorations, reheating candy melts as needed.